Twin Cities Urban Agriculture Initiative Co-Manager Job Description
Renewing the Countryside (RTC) seeks a half-time Project Co-Manager to support our Urban Agriculture partnership with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This role involves project coordination, collaboration with multiple public and private actors, and direct outreach and engagement with urban farmers, gardeners, and community partners. The successful candidate will have experience with urban agriculture, rootedness in the Twin Cities, a collaborative spirit, and a demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial equity and justice.
RTC’s mission is to cultivate and support vibrant, sustainable and equitable communities. Since 2002, we have served as connectors and facilitators, bringing together community members to advance ideas that contribute to economic, social, and environmental wealth. At RTC, we have a clear vision: to be an organization where talented people want to come, to stay, and to do their best work. We deeply value a diverse group of staff in creating an inclusive and collaborative environment, and engaging in work that promotes equity.
Location:
This urban agriculture initiative encompasses the greater metropolitan area of the Twin Cities. We anticipate this position mostly working from home (and potentially in a St. Paul office space that we anticipate opening in 2023), and in close coordination with another co-manager, the project team, and a community steering committee.
Hours:
Half time: 20 hrs/wk. Additional hours and responsibilities may become available depending on skill set and funding.
Compensation:
$28/hr based on experience. Dental and health benefits, paid time off, sick leave, and parental leave are offered in proportion to full time status.
Tasks:
Support partnership building across the Twin Cities urban agriculture landscape, including public agencies and offices, non-profit organizations, urban farmers, gardeners, coops, businesses, and others
Convene and facilitate a variety of group conversations, such as team meetings, stakeholder meetings, outreach events, and listening sessions
Develop and support a community steering committee
Coordinate the development and rollout of microgrant and organizational subaward opportunities
Coordinate training and professional development programs for urban farmers and organization staff
Analyze project progress in relation to project requirements, and provide guidance on tasks, deliverables, project evaluation, and reporting
Additional tasks as needed to support RTC’s role in the development and stewardship of this Twin Cities urban ag initiative
Qualifications:
Familiarity with Twin Cities urban agriculture environment
Knowledge about any aspect of urban agriculture and gardening, such as: land access, growing techniques, business and/or food donation, educational programming, conservation practices, soil remediation, USDA programming, and urban ag policy
Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice and equity
Comfortable collaborating with people from a variety of backgrounds and willing to be accountable to the communities they engage with, and to lead or participate in reconciliation or conflict resolution
Experience managing projects and facilitating meetings
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
High degree of organization, attention to detail, and persistence
Comfort with computer technology, including Google applications (Drive, Docs, Spreadsheets), Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel), and video conferencing platforms
Preferred: familiarity/experience managing a grants program
Preferred: language skills in Hmong, Swahili, Spanish, or other language
A Note to Potential Candidates:
These qualifications serve as a guide for knowledge and capabilities that will be helpful in this position rather than a list of requirements that each candidate must meet. If you are interested, please apply whether you feel you meet every qualification or not. We recognize that every person has a unique and dynamic set of experiences and skills that can positively contribute to our efforts. We appreciate each individual’s strengths and encourage learning and growing into roles at a comfortable pace.
How to apply:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume by email to: jobs@rtcinfo.org. We will begin reviewing applications by August 28, and the position will remain open until filled.
Renewing the Countryside provides equal opportunity for employment and condemns discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other factor. We are committed to equity and strongly encourage people who are BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+, and/or from other underrepresented or marginalized communities to apply
